Despite enduring the club's worst managerial start since 1932 with six defeats in eleven games, Ruben Amorim's tactical blueprint at Manchester United is finally beginning to crystallize. The recent hard-fought draw at Liverpool's fortress Anfield offered compelling evidence of the Portuguese tactician's progress.
Statistical Reality Check
The numbers tell a complex story of Amorim's early tenure. His first nine Premier League fixtures yielded eight points, falling short of his predecessor's eleven. While possession stats showed a modest improvement from 53% to 55%, other key performance indicators declined: high turnovers dropped from 83 to 56, pressed sequences fell from 128 to 100, and total distance covered decreased from 976.2km to 966.5km.
The initial implementation of Amorim's signature 3-4-3 system appeared to create more questions than answers, with the team struggling to maintain cohesion and execute effective pressing patterns.
Strategic Stability Emerges
The watershed moment came following a sobering 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth on December 22. Before this setback, Amorim had never maintained consistency in his defensive, midfield, or attacking selections between Premier League matches. Post-Bournemouth, the average number of lineup changes decreased from four to three per game.
The Anfield clash marked a significant milestone - the first time Amorim deployed an unchanged back five in consecutive Premier League fixtures. This continuity paid immediate dividends, with the defensive triumvirate of De Ligt, Maguire, and Martinez showing enhanced coordination, particularly in addressing their previous vulnerability to crosses.
Midfield Mastery
The blossoming partnership between Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo has proven transformative for United's midfield dynamics. Their disciplined display at Anfield effectively plugged the gaps that had been ruthlessly exposed in earlier defeats, notably the 2-0 loss to Newcastle.
Bruno Fernandes has evolved into a hybrid midfielder role, maintaining his creative output (21 chances created - third-highest in the league under Amorim) while embracing increased defensive responsibilities.
Attacking Renaissance
Amad Diallo has emerged as a prime beneficiary of Amorim's system, contributing directly to eight of United's eleven Premier League goals during this period through three goals and five assists. His impressive tally of 21 completed dribbles underscores the attacking potential within the new tactical framework.
The Anfield performance highlighted improved wing-back play, with Diogo Dalot's 70 touches and advanced positioning exemplifying Amorim's strategic approach to exploiting defensive weaknesses while maintaining tactical discipline.
While it's too early to declare mission accomplished, the Anfield showing provided tangible proof that Amorim's vision for a pressing, direct, and tactically sophisticated Manchester United is within reach. The coming fixtures will determine whether this represents a genuine breakthrough or merely a temporary uptick in the club's ongoing tactical evolution.
